Before Chiefs trade, Trent McDuffie had once talked about desire to play for Rams
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Chiefs face cap pressure; McDuffie entering final year of rookie deal.
- Rams open to trading 1st‑round picks; have potential need at cornerback.
- Resurfaced McDuffie video and coaching ties fuel Chiefs‑Rams trade chatter.
The Chiefs recently made a number of moves to get under the NFL’s salary cap, and money appears to be tight.
That’s one reason why there was rampant speculation about the potential of the Chiefs trading cornerback Trent McDuffie before Thursday’s deal was announced.
A first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, McDuffie is entering the final year of his rookie contract and is said to want an extension. The Chiefs likely couldn’t afford the type of deal McDuffie seeks, which is why he is being traded to the Los Angeles Rams.
Fans had in inkling the deal was coming following comments from Rams general manager Les Snead on Tuesday.
The Los Angeles Times noted the Rams have a need at cornerback with two players at that position set to be free agents.
In a conference call with reporters, Snead was asked what he would like to add to the Rams’ defensive backs room. He said the team would first figure out who works best from a scheme standpoint.
“And then at that point, determining on who our roster fits, the new adjustments or tweaks. And then at that point, you know, figuring out, like you said, is there an All-Pro that you could add?” Snead said. “That could be nice.”
Guess who has been an All-Pro? Yep, it’s McDuffie. He was a first-team All-Pro pick in 2022 and was a second-team All-Pro in 2023.
You can see why there is talk of a Chiefs-Rams trade involving McDuffie.
Then there’s this: The Rams last month hired Jimmy Lake as defensive backs coach and defensive passing-game coordinator. Lake coached at the University of Washington when McDuffie played there.
McDuffie video resurfaces
Adding to that chatter was a video of McDuffie from last year that resurfaced.
McDuffie, who grew up in Southern California, was asked at a function what team he would like to play for if he wasn’t on the Chiefs. His answer: the Rams.
Some are convinced the Chiefs will trade McDuffie to the Rams.
“Trent McDuffie saying if he could play for another team he would want to play with the Los Angeles #Rams,” one fan wrote on X. “No idea when this was said but this feels like the worst kept secret ever that the Rams are going to acquire him.”
Another wrote: “Chiefs All-Pro CB Trent McDuffie has had some high things to say about the idea of playing in Los Angeles”
This is what a third shared: “He’s 100% getting traded thank you for your services McDuffie probably the best corner I’ve ever watched on this team”
“Oh dear god, we’re losing McDuffie aren’t we?” wrote another.
KCTV’s Mark Poulose shared more about the video that was widely shared Tuesday.
This story was originally published March 4, 2026 at 8:20 AM.
